They say to write what you know, and for struggling actor Jon Favreau in 1996, that was getting over a tough breakup thanks to the help of a close group of similarly struggling friends. The approach clearly worked, and the legendarily low-budget Swingers promptly launched the careers of Favreau, Vince Vaughn and director Doug Liman. Just as the smooth-talking Trent (Vaughn) hilariously tries to reintroduce his friend Mike (Favreau) into the L.A. dating scene, the pair introduced a host of iconic lines to a new generation of men, making Swingers an undisputed go-to for guys after a difficult breakup, and the ultimate “hang out” movie.

“You’re nobody ‘til somebody loves you,” croons Dean Martin over Swingers’ opening credits. And as an instant critical and box office hit, the movie’s two stars went from nobodies to somebodies fast. Making the most of a paltry $250,000 budget, director Liman and the cast imbue their film with an easy laid-back attitude, where the likable characters matter infinitely more than any intricate plotting or high-end production values. Filming much of the movie without the proper permits, this unaffected naturalism is part of Swingers’ undeniable charm.

Filled with explicitly cribbed references to their cinematic heroes like Tarantino, Scorsese and Spielberg, ironically, now the new breed of male-oriented comedies attempt to crib from them. Favreau’s script is packed with great moments and classic lines, but it’s Vaughn who steals the film, creating an iconic character out of the silver-tongued Trent. Part of the mid-90s swing revival, the film’s retro sensibility and big band soundtrack perfectly compliment this wannabe Rat Pack. With a few clever fantasy sequences and a dry sense of humor, Swingers is cool without trying too hard, driven entirely by the kind of characters you want to spend an hour or two with again and again.

An unquestionable guy classic, Swingers is responsible for introducing a whole new lexicon to men, from “Vegas, baby, Vegas!” to the ubiquitous catch-all “money.” And while the jury’s out on whether or not two days is still the industry standard wait time for calling a girl, there’s no debating the movie’s other lessons: Always double down on 11, and nice guys don’t necessarily have to finish last. But the enduring appeal of Swingers unquestionably rests on how real its characters feel and how identifiable they are for most guys. Women may be left scratching their heads trying to figure out the appeal of Vaughn’s Trent, but chances are every guy has a friend like that -- or a constant complainer like Mike, or a well-meaning hothead like Sue.

In the end, this empathy is key to identifying with Favreau’s character, and when he finally “gets it,” we’re just as proud of him as his buddies. For many men, Swingers is a much-needed reminder to stop obsessing over what you don’t have and take another look at what you do, and that sometimes all it takes to turn things around is to stop trying so damn hard and play it cool, even if you don’t particularly feel it. And whether it’s hanging out in bars or at home playing video games, friends can be crucial to this turnaround. As an unsentimental, decidedly uncliched ode to male camaraderie, they don’t get much better than Swingers.